Chain link adapter

ABSTRACT

A system for providing safety to a hoist having a hook and a chain. The system includes a safety cable threaded through an opening of the hook or an object to be lifted. The system includes a connector connected to the safety cable and the chain such that when the hook and the chain of the hoist are disconnected, the object remains connected to the chain via the connector and safety cable. The connector includes a base portion having a chain opening configured to receive the chain, and a first cable opening configured to receive the safety cable. The connector includes a top portion configured to be coupled to the base portion and cover a portion of the chain opening such that the base portion and the top portion, when coupled together, remain at a substantially fixed position along the length of the chain.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

This specification relates to an apparatus for securing a safety cableto a chain.

2. Description of the Related Art

Hoists are used in manufacturing environments to lift heavy objects.Conventional hoists may include a hook at one end of a chain, and thehook may engage the object to be lifted. The other end of the chain maybe attached to a cylinder or a drum that is rotated to wind the chainaround the cylinder or the drum. As the cylinder or the drum is rotated,the chain is further wound, and the object is lifted. The chain isconnected to the hook by a connector or the chain may be welded to thehook. In some situations, the connector or the welding fails, and thehook may separate from the end of the chain. In order to provide asafety mechanism, conventionally, a safety cable is threaded through oneof the links of the chain above the connection between the chain and thehook, and also through the hook.

However, by threading the safety cable through the chain link andthrough the hook, the safety cable may be susceptible to wear, and mayalso fail when the connector connecting the chain to the hook fails,defeating the purpose of the safety cable. Therefore, an improved way ofconnecting the chain to the safety cable is desirable.

SUMMARY

What is described is a connector for securing a safety cable to a chain.The connector includes a base portion. The base portion includes a chainopening configured to receive the chain such that the base portionfreely moves along the length of the chain. The base portion alsoincludes a first cable opening configured to receive the safety cable.The connector also includes a top portion configured to be coupled tothe base portion and cover a portion of the chain opening such that thebase portion and the top portion, when coupled together, remain at asubstantially fixed position along the length of the chain.

Also described is a system for providing safety to a hoist having a hookattached to a chain. The system includes a safety cable threaded throughan opening of the hook or an opening of an object lifted by the hoist.The system also includes a connector connected to the safety cable andthe chain such that when the hook and the chain of the hoist aredisconnected, the object remains connected to the chain via theconnector and the safety cable. The connector includes a base portionhaving a chain opening configured to receive the chain such that thebase portion freely moves along the length of the chain, and a firstcable opening configured to receive the safety cable. The connector alsoincludes a top portion configured to be coupled to the base portion andcover a portion of the chain opening such that the base portion and thetop portion, when coupled together, remain at a substantially fixedposition along the length of the chain.

Also described is a method of using a connector to secure a safety cableto a chain of a hoist. The chain is connected to a hook for engaging anobject to be lifted by the hoist. The method includes placing the chainthrough a chain opening of a base portion of the connector. The methodalso includes placing a top portion of the connector onto the baseportion such that a bottom surface of the top portion contacts a topsurface of the base portion and a chain securing slot of the top portionsurrounds a central link of the chain. The method also includesattaching the top portion of the connector to the base portion of theconnector using one or more fasteners. The method also includesthreading the safety cable through an opening of the hook or an openingof the object. The method also includes threading the safety cablethrough a first cable opening and a second cable opening of theconnector.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent to one skilled in the art upon examination ofthe following figures and detailed description. Component parts shown inthe drawings are not necessarily to scale, and may be exaggerated tobetter illustrate the important features of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art safety cable used with a hoist.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example use of the chain link adapter, accordingto various embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 3A-3E illustrate various views of the chain link adapter in use,according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 4A-4J illustrate various views of the chain link adapter,according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate another embodiment of the chain link adapter,according to various embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart for using the chain link adapter toconnect a safety cable to a chain of a hoist, according to variousembodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed herein are systems, vehicles, and methods for securing asafety cable to a chain of a hoist. Conventionally, the safety cable isthreaded through one of the links of the chain and looped through thehook. This is illustrated in FIG. 1.

The hoist includes a chain 102 connected to a hook 108 via a connector106. The connector 106 receives one or more links of the chain 102 onone end and the hook 108 on the other end. The hook 108 is hookedthrough an opening 114 of the object 112 to be lifted. The object 112 issecured within the hook 108 by a latch 110.

In some situations, the connection between the chain 102 and the hook108 is broken. In some situations, the connection between the chain 102and the connector 106 fails. In some situations, the connection betweenthe hook 108 and the connector 106 fails. In these situations, a safetycable 104 may prevent the object 112 from falling onto the ground. Ifthe object 112 falls onto the ground, not only may the object 112 bedamaged, but objects or things below the object 112 or in the vicinityof the object 112 may be harmed.

The safety cable 104 is threaded through a loop or opening 116 of one ofthe links of the chain 102 and is also threaded through the hook 108.When the chain 102 is separated from the hook 108 by a failure of theconnector 106, the safety cable 104 may maintain support of the object112 by maintaining the connection between the chain 102 (at the opening116) and the hook 108. In some embodiments, the safety cable 104 may bethreaded through the opening 114 of the object 112 itself.

This arrangement has significant shortcomings. In order for the safetycable 104 to be threaded through a chain link, the safety cable 104 mayhave to be relatively thin (e.g., ⅛ of an inch or less in diameter). Asthe safety cable 104 is thin, it may wear down at any point there isfriction with another metal object. The safety cable 104 isconventionally made of a braided metal wire.

The safety cable 104 may make contact with a top edge of the connector106 and become worn down at a first wear location 118. The safety cable104 may make contact with the latch 110 of the hook 108 and may becomeworn down at a second wear location 120. The safety cable 104 may makecontact with the object 112 and the hook 108 and become worn down at athird wear location 122. In any of these wear locations, the safetycable 104 may be worn down to a point where it is unable to support theweight of the object 112, and may also fail when the connector 106fails.

An improved method or apparatus for connecting a safety cable to a chainlink in a hoist would improve the safety of the system, as well as thedurability of the safety cable.

FIG. 2 illustrates a chain link adapter for connecting the safety cableto the chain. The chain link adapter 202 is connected to the chain 204at a location 230 above a location 232 where the hook connector 218connects the hook 210 to the chain 204.

The chain link adapter 202 surrounds the chain 204 at an opening 228 andsecures a link of the chain 204. The chain link adapter 202 alsoreceives a safety cable 206. The safety cable 206 may be threadedthrough a first opening 214 and a second opening 216 of the chain linkadapter 202. The safety cable 206 may also be threaded through theopening 254 of the hook 210 or the opening 250 of the object 208 to belifted. The opening 250 of the object 208 may pass through the tip 222of the hook 210 and past the latch 224 of the hook 210. The ends of thesafety cable 206 may be secured by multiple clamps 220 to form a closedloop using the safety cable 206.

In this way, if the hook connector 218 connecting the chain 204 to thehook 210 fails (e.g., the chain 204 is disconnected from the connector218 and/or the hook 210 is disconnected from the connector 218), thechain link adapter 202 maintains the connection between the chain 204and the object 208 via the safety cable 206 and the hook 210.

As compared to the arrangement of the safety cable of FIG. 1, the safetycable 206 of FIG. 2 does not have any wear locations where the safetycable 206 may abrade against any other part of the system. In addition,because the safety cable 206 of FIG. 2 no longer has to be threadedthrough an opening of a chain link, the safety cable 206 may be thickerin diameter (e.g., greater than ⅛ inch), and thus, stronger and moreresilient than a safety cable that must fit within an opening of a chainlink. The first opening 214 and the second opening 216 of the chain linkadapter 202 may be sized to accommodate any thickness of the safetycable 206.

In some embodiments, the chain link adapter 202 includes a base portion252, which includes a screw support 226, which provides structuralsupport for screws or bolts, as will be described further herein.

FIGS. 3A-3E illustrates a process of installing or attaching the chainlink adapter to a chain and a safety cable, according to embodiments ofthe invention.

FIG. 3A illustrates a base portion 302 of the chain link adapter 300(e.g., chain link adapter 202). The base portion 302 includes a firstcable opening 308 (e.g., first opening 214) configured to receive thesafety cable and a second cable opening 310 (e.g., second opening 216)configured to receive the safety cable. The base portion 302 alsoincludes a chain opening (obscured in FIG. 3A but shown in FIG. 3B) thatis configured to receive a chain 312 and configured to allow the chain312 to move freely along a length 314 of the chain 312. The base portion302 also includes a first fastener opening 316 and a second fasteneropening 318, which are configured to receive a fastener, as describedfurther herein.

The base portion 302 may be made of any rigid and durable material, suchas metal. The base portion 302 is shaped such that there are twoparallel top surfaces—a first top surface 320 and a second top surface322. The first top surface 320 and the second top surface 322 each liealong respective planes separated by a height 324. The base portion 302may also have a first section 330, which has the first top surface 320,and the base portion 302 may also have a second section 332, which hasthe second top surface 322. The second section 332 may be referred to asa basin and the first section 330 may be referred to as a plateau. Thefirst section 330 may have a first thickness 336 and the second section332 may have a second thickness 334. The first thickness 336 may be asum of the second thickness 334 and the height 324 separating therespective planes of the first top surface 320 and the second topsurface 322.

FIG. 3B illustrates a different view of the base portion 302 receiving achain 312 shown in FIG. 3A. The view of FIG. 3B shows the chain opening326 of the base portion 302. The chain opening 326 is configured toreceive the chain 312 and allow the chain 312 to pass through the baseportion 302. The chain opening 326 is shown as being cross-shaped, butmay be any shaped opening that allows the chain 312 to pass through. Thecross-shaped opening provides for reduced lateral movement of the chain312 as it passes through the chain opening 326 of the base portion 302.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the cross-shaped chain opening 326 has four arms328A-328D. Three of the arms 328A-328C are located in the second section332 of the base portion 302, and a single arm 328D is located in thefirst section 330 of the base portion 302. In some embodiments, all ofthe arms 328A-328D (i.e., the entire chain opening 326) may be locatedin the first section 330. In other embodiments, all of the arms328A-328D (i.e., the entire chain opening 326) may be located in thesecond section 332.

FIG. 3C illustrates a top portion 346 placed on top of the secondsection 332 of the base portion 302. The top portion 346 has a thickness344. In some embodiments, the first thickness 336 of the first section330 of the base portion 302 may be equal to the sum of the thickness 344of the top portion 346 and the second thickness 334 of the secondsection 332 of the base portion 302. The top portion 346 may be made ofa rigid and durable material, such as metal, and may be made of the samematerial as the base portion 302 or may be made of a different material.

The top portion 346 includes a top portion cable opening 342 that alignswith the first cable opening 308 of the base portion 302, such that asafety cable may pass through both the top portion cable opening 342 andthe first cable opening 308. The top portion 346 also has a first topportion fastener opening 348 that aligns with the first fastener opening316 of the base portion 302 and a second top portion fastener opening338 that aligns with the second fastener opening 318 of the base portion302.

The top portion 346 is configured to limit a vertical movement of thechain link adapter 300 along the length 314 of the chain 312. The topportion 346 has a chain securing slot 340 that aligns with the secondarm 328B (shown in FIG. 3B) and center of the chain opening 326 of thebase portion 302, but does not include an opening corresponding to thefirst arm 328A and the third arm 328C (shown in FIG. 3B) of the chainopening 326 of the base portion 302. In this way, the top portion 346limits the vertical movement of the chain link adapter 300 along thelength 314 of the chain 312 by preventing the links above and below thelink located in the chain securing slot 340 from passing through thechain link adapter 300.

The link located in the chain securing slot 340 may be referred to as acentral link 358. While the term “central” is being used, the centrallink 358 is not necessarily located in a central portion of the chain312 as a whole. The central link 358 is located below the top link 360and above the bottom link 362. The central link 358 is perpendicular tothe top link 360 and the bottom link 362 when viewed axially along thelength 314 of the chain 312. When the top portion 346 is engaged withthe base portion 302, the top portion 346 prevents the top link 360 andthe bottom link 362 from passing through the chain link adapter 300. Thepart of the top portion 346 that abuts the top link 360 and the bottomlink 362 may be referred to as the barrier portion 364. The barrierportion 364 may be made of a first barrier portion 350 and a secondbarrier portion 352. The first barrier portion 350 and the secondbarrier portion 352 are located on either side of the chain securingslot 340 and adjacent to the chain securing slot 340. The barrierportion 364 may refer to the entire portion of the top portion 346preventing movement of the chain link adapter 300 along the chain 312,not simply the top surface or the bottom surface.

FIG. 3D illustrates a side view of the chain link adapter 300 of FIG.3C. The top portion 346 when engaged with the base portion 302 surroundsthe central link 358 and prevents the top link 360 and the bottom link362 from passing through the chain link adapter 300.

FIG. 3E illustrates the chain link adapter 300 with the top portion 346secured to the base portion 302. The top portion 346 is secured to thebase portion 302 using a first screw 370 located in the first topportion fastener opening 348 that aligns with the first fastener opening316 of the base portion 302. The top portion 346 is also secured to thebase portion 302 using a second screw 372 located in the second topportion fastener opening 338 that aligns with the second fasteneropening 318 of the base portion 302. The first screw 370 and the secondscrew 372 may be screws or bolts or any other fastener used to connecttwo materials with holes together. A safety cable 374 (e.g., safetycable 206) is threaded through the top portion cable opening 342 thataligns with the first cable opening 308 of the base portion 302 and thesecond cable opening 310 of the base portion 302.

FIGS. 4A-4J illustrate the components of the chain link adapter. Thechain link adapter 400 of FIGS. 4A-4J is similar to the chain linkadapter 300 of FIGS. 3A-3E, and like components are numbered similarly.

FIG. 4A illustrates the chain link adapter 400 in its assembled state.The chain link adapter 400 includes a base portion 402 covered by a topportion 446, the top portion 446 being removably coupled to the baseportion 402 by a first screw 470 and a second screw 472. The chain linkadapter 400 includes a top portion cable opening 442 that aligns with afirst cable opening 408 of the base portion 402 and a second cableopening 410 of the base portion 402. The cable openings are configuredto receive a safety cable, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3E. The topportion 446 also includes a chain securing slot 440 configured tosurround a link of the chain and prevent vertical movement of the chainlink adapter 400, as shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D.

While the chain link adapter 400 is shown as being generally circular inshape, with the base portion 402 being generally circular and the topportion 446 being a semi-circle, the chain link adapter 400 may be anyshape (e.g., a square, rectangle, oval, hexagon, pentagon) and the shapemay vary based on the application of the chain link adapter. Forexample, different shapes may be used based on increased weights ofobjects to be lifted by the hoist, or different shapes may be used basedon different dimensions of objects to be lifted by the hoist. Inaddition, while the chain link adapter 400 has two cable openings (410and 442/408), in other embodiments, more than two cable openings may beused, particularly when multiple safety cables are used.

FIG. 4B is an exploded view of the chain link adapter 400. The topportion 446 fits within a basin (or a depression) of the base portion402. The first screw 470 and the second screw 472 may be threaded, andthe first top portion fastener opening 448 and the second top portionfastener opening 438 of the top portion 446 may also be threaded. Inaddition, the first fastener opening 416 and the second fastener opening418 of the base portion 402 may also be threaded. The first screw 470and the second screw 472 may have a screw depth 488. As describedherein, any fastener may be used instead of the screws shown in FIG. 4B.

The top portion 446 has a top surface 480 and a bottom surface 482. Thebase portion 402 has a bottom surface 486. The base portion 402 has twotop surfaces that are parallel to each other, but offset—the first topsurface 420 and the second top surface 422. The second top surface 422contacts the bottom surface 482 of the top portion 446 when the topportion 446 is engaged with the base portion 402. In addition, when thetop portion 446 is engaged with the base portion 402, the top surface480 of the top portion 446 is coplanar with the first top surface 420 ofthe base portion 402.

The top portion 446 has a barrier portion 464 that is configured tolimit the vertical movement of the chain link adapter 400 along thechain. The barrier portion 464 may be made of two parts—a first barrierportion 450 and a second barrier portion 452 that are on either side ofthe chain securing slot 440 and adjacent to the chain securing slot. Thechain securing slot secures a central link (e.g., central link 358). Thebarrier portion 464 abuts the top link above the central link (e.g., toplink 360) and also abuts the bottom link below the central link (e.g.,bottom link 362). The barrier portion 464 prevents the top link frommoving downward below the chain link adapter 400 and prevents the bottomlink from moving upward above the chain link adapter 400.

FIG. 4C is a top-down view of the base portion 402. The base portion 402includes a chain opening 426, which is cross-shaped and has four arms428A-428D. The first arm 428A, the second arm 428B, and the third arm428C are located in the second section 432 of the base portion 402, andthe fourth arm 428D is located in the first section 430 of the baseportion 402. The first cable opening 408 and the second cable opening410 may have the same diameter 494. The base portion 402 may have adiameter 496. The lower the ratio of the cable opening diameter 494 tothe base portion diameter 496, the stronger the base portion 402 may bein supporting the weight of an object attached to the chain link adapterby the safety cable. In some embodiments, the ratio of the cable openingdiameter 494 to the base portion diameter 496 is 0.394 to 2. That is, asingle cable opening diameter 494 may be 19.7% of the base portiondiameter 496. In other embodiments, the ratio of the cable openingdiameter 494 to the base portion diameter 496 is less than 0.394 to 2,or put differently, the single cable opening diameter 494 is less than20% of the base portion diameter 496.

FIG. 4D is a side view of the base portion 402. The base portion 402includes a screw support 492 that is formed integrally in the baseportion 402. The screw support 492 is located below the first fasteneropening 416 and the second fastener opening 418 of the base portion 402.The screw support 492 is configured to provide support to the screws (orother fasteners) that attach the top portion 446 to the base portion402.

The base portion 402 also has a first top surface 420 corresponding tothe first section 430, a second top surface 422 corresponding to thesecond section 432, and a bottom surface 486 opposite the first topsurface 420 and the second top surface 422. The screw support 492extends from the bottom surface 486.

The first section 430 has a thickness 436 and the second section 432 hasa thickness 434. The screw support 492 has a thickness 490. The screwsupport thickness 490 combined with the second section thickness 434 maybe substantially similar to the screw depth 488 of the first screw 470and the second screw 472 (as shown in FIG. 4B). The greater the firstsection thickness 436 compared to the base portion diameter 496, thestronger the chain link adapter 400 may be in supporting the weight ofan object attached to the chain link adapter 400 by the safety cable. Insome embodiments, the ratio of the first section thickness 436 to thebase portion diameter 496 is 0.343 to 2. That is, the first sectionthickness 436 may be 17.15% of the base portion diameter 496. In otherembodiments, the ratio of the first section thickness 436 to the baseportion diameter 496 is greater than 0.343 to 2, or put differently, thefirst section thickness 436 is greater than 17% of the base portiondiameter 496.

FIG. 4E is a bottom-up view of the base portion 402. The screw support492 is shaped to surround the first fastener opening 416 and the secondfastener opening 418 as well as the first cable opening 408. The width498 of the chain opening 426 may correspond to the width of a link ofthe chain passing through the chain link adapter 400.

FIG. 4F is a perspective view of the base portion 402. The lip 491 ofthe chain opening 426 located on the first section 430 of the baseportion 402 may have a chamfer or a slope to assist in guiding the chaininto the chain opening 426. The chamfer may also assist in avoidingfriction between the chain link adapter 400 and the chain that may becaused if the lip 491 had a sharp edge.

FIG. 4G is a top-down view of the top portion 446, showing the topsurface 480 of the top portion 446. The top portion 446 has a shoulderwidth 491 corresponding to the distance between the chain securing slot440 to the edge 495 of the top portion 446.

FIG. 4H is a side view of the top portion 446. The top portion 446 has athickness 444. As the top portion 446 prevents the chain link adapter400 from moving lengthwise relative to the chain, the greater the topportion thickness 444, the more securely the chain link adapter 400 willbe located along the chain. In some embodiments, the ratio of the topportion thickness 444 to the shoulder width 491 is 0.19 to 0.9095. Thatis, the top portion thickness 444 is 20.89% of the shoulder width 491.In other embodiments, the ratio of the top portion thickness 444 to theshoulder width 491 is greater than 0.19 to 0.9095. That is, the topportion thickness 444 is greater than 20% of the shoulder width 491.

In addition, the greater the top portion thickness 444 relative to thechain link thickness, the more securely the chain link adapter will belocated along the chain. The chain link thickness affects the chainopening width 498, and thus, the chain opening width 498 may be used asa proxy for the chain link thickness. In some embodiments, the ratio ofthe top portion thickness 444 to the chain opening width 498 is 0.19 to0.591. That is the top portion thickness 444 is 32.15% of the chainopening width 498. In other embodiments, the ratio of the top portionthickness 444 to the chain opening width 498 is greater than 0.19 to0.591. That is the top portion thickness 444 is greater than 32% of thechain opening width 498.

FIG. 4I is a bottom-up view of the top portion 446 showing the bottomsurface 482 of the top portion 446.

FIG. 4J is a perspective view of the top portion 446. The lip 493 of thechain securing slot 440 may have a chamfer or a slope to assist inguiding the chain into the chain opening 426. The chamfer may alsoassist in avoiding friction between the chain link adapter and the chainthat may be caused if the lip 493 had a sharp edge.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate an alternate embodiment of the chain linkadapter. The chain link adapter 500 is similar to the chain link adapter300 and 400, and like parts are numbered similarly.

The chain link adapter 500 includes a top portion 546 having a chainsecuring slot 540, a first cable opening 542/508 made of a top portioncable opening 542 and a first cable opening 508 of the base portion 502.The top portion 546 is attached to the base portion 502 by a first screw570 and a second screw 572. Although screws are illustrated, anyfastener may be used to attach the top portion 546 to the base portion502.

The base portion 502 includes a second cable opening 510. The secondcable opening 510 is similar in structure to the second cable opening310 and the second cable opening 410. However, the second cable opening510 of the chain link adapter 500 is offset from the chain securing slot540 and the first cable opening 542/508. When the second cable opening510 is offset from the first cable opening 542/508, the safety cable 506that passes from the second cable opening 510 to the first cable opening542/508 above the chain link adapter 500 may come into less contact withthe chain 512 or may not come into contact with the chain 512 at all.

FIG. 5B is a top-down view of the base portion 502. The base portion 502includes a first fastener opening 516 and a second fastener opening 518,as well as a first cable opening 508 and a second cable opening 510. Asshown in FIG. 5B, the second cable opening 510 is offset by an offsetangle 597 from an axis formed by the chain opening 526 and the firstcable opening 508. That is, if a first line is drawn from the center ofthe first cable opening 508 to the center of the chain opening 526, anda second line is drawn from the center of the second cable opening tothe center of the chain opening 526, the first line and the second linewould form the offset angle 597. In some embodiments, the offset angle597 is 45 degrees.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of a process 600 for securing a safetycable to a chain of a hoist. The hoist includes the chain and a hook,with the hook configured to engage an opening of an object to be liftedby the hoist.

The chain of the hoist is placed through a chain opening of a baseportion of the connector (e.g., chain link adapter 300, 400, 500) (step602). This is illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The base portion may movefreely along the length of the chain, and may be moved to a locationthat is sufficiently above where the hook is connected to the chain,such that if the hook was to be disconnected from the chain, the chainwould not break at or above the location where the connector is attachedto the chain.

The top portion of the connector is placed onto the base portion of theconnector (step 604). This is illustrated in FIGS. 3C and 3D. The bottomsurface of the top portion contacts a top surface of the base portion,and a chain securing slot of the top portion surrounds a central link ofthe chain. The barrier portion of the top portion, as described herein,prevents the vertical movement of the connector along the chain bycontacting and abutting a top link above the central link and a bottomlink below the central link.

The top portion of the connector is attached to the base portion of theconnector using one or more fasteners (step 606). This is illustrated inFIG. 3E. The fasteners may be screws or bolts or any other fastener. Thefasteners may be removable such that the top portion is removablycoupled to the base portion, and the location of the connector along thechain of the hoist may be adjusted.

The safety cable is threaded through an opening of the hook or anopening of the object (step 608). This is illustrated in FIG. 2. Thesafety cable is also threaded through a first cable opening and a secondcable opening of the connector (step 610). This is illustrated in FIGS.2 and 3E. The ends of the safety cable may be attached to the body ofthe safety cable in order to form a closed loop. As the safety cable nolonger has to pass through the chain link opening (as shown in FIG. 1),the safety cable may be thicker and stronger than conventional safetycables used.

Exemplary embodiments of the methods/systems have been disclosed in anillustrative style. Accordingly, the terminology employed throughoutshould be read in a non-limiting manner. Although minor modifications tothe teachings herein will occur to those well versed in the art, itshall be understood that what is intended to be circumscribed within thescope of the patent warranted hereon are all such embodiments thatreasonably fall within the scope of the advancement to the art herebycontributed, and that that scope shall not be restricted, except inlight of the appended claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A connector for securing a safety cable to achain, the connector comprising: a base portion having: a chain openingconfigured to receive the chain such that the base portion freely movesalong the length of the chain, and a first cable opening configured toreceive the safety cable; and a top portion configured to be coupled tothe base portion and cover a portion of the chain opening such that thebase portion and the top portion, when coupled together, remain at asubstantially fixed position along the length of the chain.
 2. Theconnector of claim 1, wherein the top portion includes: a chain securingslot shaped to surround a portion of a link of the chain, and a barrierportion adjacent to the chain securing slot and configured to abut a toplink and a bottom link adjacent to the link surrounded by the chainsecuring slot to prevent movement of the top portion along the length ofthe chain.
 3. The connector of claim 1, wherein the top portion includesa top portion cable opening configured to receive the safety cable, andthe top portion is aligned with the base portion such that the topportion cable opening is aligned with the first cable opening of thebase portion.
 4. The connector of claim 3, wherein the base portionincludes a second cable opening configured to receive the safety cable,such that the safety cable passes through the first cable opening andthe second cable opening.
 5. The connector of claim 4, wherein the chainopening is located in a substantially central area of the base portionbetween the first cable opening and the second cable opening.
 6. Theconnector of claim 4, wherein the second cable opening is offset by anoffset angle from an axis formed by the first cable opening and thechain opening.
 7. The connector of claim 6, wherein the offset angle is45 degrees.
 8. The connector of claim 1, wherein the top portion isremovably coupled to the base portion by at least one of screws orbolts.
 9. The connector of claim 1, wherein the chain opening of thebase portion is cross-shaped.
 10. The connector of claim 1, wherein thebase portion is substantially circular in shape and the top portion hasa semi-circle shape, the base portion further including a basin toreceive the top portion.
 11. A system for providing safety to a hoisthaving a hook attached to a chain, the system comprising: a safety cablethreaded through an opening of the hook or an opening of an objectlifted by the hoist; and a connector connected to the safety cable andthe chain such that when the hook and the chain of the hoist aredisconnected, the object remains connected to the chain via theconnector and the safety cable.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein theconnector includes: a base portion having: a chain opening configured toreceive the chain such that the base portion freely moves along thelength of the chain, and a first cable opening configured to receive thesafety cable; and a top portion configured to be coupled to the baseportion and cover a portion of the chain opening such that the baseportion and the top portion, when coupled together, remain at asubstantially fixed position along the length of the chain.
 13. Thesystem of claim 12, wherein the top portion includes: a chain securingslot shaped to surround a portion of a link of the chain, and a barrierportion adjacent to the chain securing slot and configured to abut a toplink and a bottom link adjacent to the link surrounded by the chainsecuring slot to prevent movement of the top portion along the length ofthe chain.
 14. The system of claim 12, wherein the top portion includesa top portion cable opening configured to receive the safety cable, andthe top portion is aligned with the base portion such that the topportion cable opening is aligned with the first cable opening of thebase portion.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the base portionincludes a second cable opening configured to receive the safety cable,such that the safety cable passes through the first cable opening andthe second cable opening.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the chainopening is located in a substantially central area of the base portionbetween the first cable opening and the second cable opening.
 17. Thesystem of claim 15, wherein the second cable opening is offset by anoffset angle from an axis formed by the first cable opening and thechain opening.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein the offset angle is45 degrees.
 19. The system of claim 12, wherein the top portion isremovably coupled to the base portion by at least one of screws orbolts.
 20. A method for using a connector to secure a safety cable to achain of a hoist, the chain connected to a hook for engaging an objectto be lifted by the hoist, the method comprising: placing the chainthrough a chain opening of a base portion of the connector; placing atop portion of the connector onto the base portion such that a bottomsurface of the top portion contacts a top surface of the base portionand a chain securing slot of the top portion surrounds a central link ofthe chain; attaching the top portion of the connector to the baseportion of the connector using one or more fasteners; threading thesafety cable through an opening of the hook or an opening of the object;and threading the safety cable through a first cable opening and asecond cable opening of the connector.